Marian Central's Parchutz commits to Illinois State for baseball

Marian Central pitcher Brad Parchutz does not hide his career ambition of some day pitching in professional baseball.

What happened for Parchutz last weekend in Normal indicates he is on the right track to possibly achieve that goal.

Parchutz played at Illinois State University in a tournament with his Elite Baseball Training team, a Chicago-based facility and travel program. Before Parchutz returned home to Marengo, he told ISU coach Mark Kingston and his staff he wanted to be a Redbird.

‘I knew Illinois State was the place for me,” Parchutz said of his early commitment. “My parents [Scott and Karen] can come see me play, I like their field. It all kind of fit in place for me.”

Parchutz’s numbers for Marian’s varsity this season were not outstanding – 3-3 record, 5.87 ERA, 15 strikeouts and nine walks in 30 2/3 innings – but the Redbirds coaches saw a 16-year-old who is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and cracked 90 mph on the speed gun.

"He can throw so hard, when he plays against kids his age, he can just throw it by them," Hurricanes coach Benji Winkelman said. "With us, he had to work on how to change speeds, hold runners on base, those things. He'll become a better pitcher. He was kind of a young guy who threw really hard."

Parchutz felt he made strides in his first varsity season.

“I think I did pretty well this year as a 16-year-old against 18-year-olds,” Parchutz said. “I’ve just been working every day, trying to develop myself. Just putting in a lot of work.”

Parchutz works with pitching coach Travis Kerber at Elite. He says Kerber gets him on the right track with his mechanics and conditioning. Parchutz is well ahead of others in his class regarding his college commitment.

“Now, I can just focus on the next level,” Parchutz said. “I want to pitch in the pros. I don’t have to stress about it, I know I have a place now [in college]”

ISU was 39-19 overall this season and 16-5 to win the Missouri Valley Conference.

"This was a dream of his, and he's a great kid and a good student," Winkelman said. "He has to progress and become a better pitcher now. He has a lot of ability."